Featured Sierra Nevada Trails

Editor’s picks, trusted hiking guides and unforgettable trails from across the Sierra Nevada.

For more than twelve years, Sierra Rec Magazine has explored trails across the Sierra Nevada—from short walks to alpine lakes and waterfalls to multi-day backpacking adventures deep in the wilderness. Along the way we’ve learned that the best hikes aren’t always the longest or the hardest. They’re the ones that leave you wanting to come back.

This page brings together many of our favorite hiking guides, backpacking routes and trail systems from across the Sierra. Whether you’re planning your first Yosemite hike, searching for a new wilderness to explore or looking for inspiration for your next weekend outdoors, you’ll find trusted recommendations built from years of exploring these mountains.

Use the collections below to discover featured trail systems, browse hiking guides by region and explore some of the Sierra Nevada’s most memorable places—one trail at a time.

Featured Trail Systems

In the Sierra Nevada, we’re blessed with some of the most iconic hiking trails in the world. People travel from across the country—and around the globe—to experience places like the John Muir Trail, Half Dome and Mount Whitney. But locals know there’s always more to discover. Beyond the famous trails are hidden lakes, quiet side canyons, alternate routes and unforgettable hikes that see a fraction of the traffic.

Whether you’re looking to experience the Sierra’s legendary trails or discover a few places you may have never considered, this is a great place to start.

Legendary Long-Distance Trails

The bucket-list journeys that define the Sierra Nevada.

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Pacific Crest Trail

Stretching from Mexico to Canada, the Pacific Crest Trail crosses nearly 400 miles of the Sierra Nevada, passing legendary places like Forester Pass, Evolution Valley and Yosemite National Park.

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John Muir Trail

Travel 211 miles through the heart of the High Sierra, connecting Yosemite Valley with Mount Whitney on one of America’s most celebrated backpacking trails through the Eastern Sierra.

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Tahoe Rim Trail

Circle Lake Tahoe on a 170-mile trail that winds through alpine forests, granite peaks and unforgettable views from both California and Nevada.

Explore

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Tahoe To Yosemite Trail

Follow a classic Sierra route linking Lake Tahoe to Yosemite National Park through remote wilderness, alpine lakes and high mountain passes.

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Classic Sierra Backpacking Adventures

Some backpacking trips become more than just a weekend in the mountains—they become stories you’ll tell for years. From alpine lake basins and remote wilderness to famous loops and unforgettable through hikes, these classic Sierra adventures showcase the incredible variety of backpacking experiences waiting beyond the trailhead.

Iconic Summit & Day Hikes

Not every unforgettable Sierra adventure requires a backpack. Some of the region’s most iconic hikes can be completed in a single day, leading to legendary summits, alpine lakes and unforgettable viewpoints. These are the trails that inspire early alarms, sore legs and stories you’ll tell long after the hike is over.

Most Visited Trails in the Sierra Nevada

Yosemite National Park

Mist Trail – Leads to Vernal and Nevada Falls, one of the park’s most popular hikes.
Half Dome Trail – A bucket-list hike requiring a permit, featuring cables to the summit.
Glacier Point via Four-Mile Trail – A steep but rewarding trek to one of Yosemite’s best viewpoints.
Yosemite Falls Trail – A strenuous hike to the top of North America’s tallest waterfall.
Mirror Lake Trail – A relatively easy, family-friendly hike with reflections of Half Dome.

Lake Tahoe Region

Mount Tallac Trail – A challenging but scenic hike with panoramic views of Lake Tahoe.
Eagle Lake Trail – A short, popular hike with stunning alpine lake views.
Rubicon Trail – A scenic lakeside hike connecting Emerald Bay to D.L. Bliss State Park.
Desolation Wilderness (Pyramid Peak, Aloha Lake, etc.) – Heavily visited by backpackers and day hikers.
Flume Trail – A popular mountain biking and hiking trail with stunning lake views.

Eastern Sierra & Mammoth Lakes

Devils Postpile & Rainbow Falls – A family-friendly hike to unique geological formations and a waterfall.
Duck Pass Trail – A popular alpine hike leading to multiple lakes.
Little Lakes Valley Trail – An easy yet spectacular hike with multiple scenic lakes.
Mammoth Crest Trail – A high-elevation hike with incredible views of the Mammoth Lakes Basin.

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

Moro Rock Trail – A short but steep climb to an incredible viewpoint.
General Sherman Tree Trail – A must-see, leading to the world’s largest tree.
Lakes Trail to Pear Lake – A stunning backcountry hike in Sequoia National Park.
Mist Falls Trail – A popular trail in Kings Canyon leading to a beautiful waterfall.

John Muir Trail & Pacific Crest Trail Sections

Mount Whitney Trail – The highest peak in the contiguous U.S., requiring a permit.
Rae Lakes Loop – A classic multi-day hike through some of the Sierra’s most stunning scenery.

Trail News

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Podcasts

Unveiling Sequoia & Kings Canyon’s Hidden Gems with Mountain Trekking Adventures

by Charlie Pankey January 28, 2025 0

The Sierra Rec Now podcast recently welcomed Pani Schauffler, owner of Mountain Trekking Adventures, a premier guiding service based in…

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